Watch testing apparatus



July 8, 1958 J. KO'HN 2,841,978

WATCH TESTING APPARATUS Filed July 12, 1955 2 sheets-she t 1 INVENTORATTORNEYS July 8, 1958 J. KOHN WATCH TESTING APPARATUS Filed July 12,1955 BY M W 18 7C- ATTORNEY- United States Patent WATCH TESTINGAPPARATUS Julius Kuhn, New York, N. Y.

Application July 12, 1955, Serial No. 521,442

7 Claims. (Cl. 73-6) This invention relates to an improved watch testingapparatus that is particularly usable over an extended period whichwould simulate the use when mounted on the wrist, thereby checking anadjustment that has been made in a watch by a jeweler. The novelapparatus has been particularly constructed to hold the watch in severaldifferent positions for predetermined lengths of time to check that theadjustment has been properly made and would be satisfactory forpractically all of the different positions a watch may be placed induring every day use and for the purpose of knowing average timevariations.

It is well known in the horological field that watches are held indifferent positions for different lengths of times during the time theyare Worn on the wrist, or held in the pocket, or when lying on thedresser. It is also well known that when a Watch has been adjusted tokeep accurate time in one position, it may vary to some little extentwhen placed in another position. Therefore, it is desirable to make anadjustment that will be substantially retained when the watch is in anyposition.

It has been a desire for a long time for the jeweler and the watchrepairer to have a relatively low cost device or apparatus which willpermit the checking of any adjustment of the watch when it is placed invarious positions to which it is subjected. Such a device must bepreferably of low cost and simple of construction and operation and onethat will position a watch in several different positions forpredetermined periods so that the testing or checking will be completeand so that the jeweler will know that his assembly and repair work havebeen proper and satisfactorily done and to know that the differenttesting positions will coincide with the actual use of the watch.

Therefore, one feature of this invention is to provide an improved, lowcost watch checking or testing device or apparatus which will move awatch into various positions and to accomplish the testing in arelatively short period of time. i

It is a further feature of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus for receiving an adjusted Watch and for moving it into variouspositions so that there are definite rest or dwell periods in particularpositions, and so that there is a movement to a new positionintermittent the rest periods.

A. further feature of this novel invention is to provide an apparatuswhich is continuously driven and which will move a watch through a 360cycle while at the same time, and at intervals, the watch will betwisted on its carrying spindle so as to be placed in several differentpredetermined positions.

Another feature of this improved invention is to provide a small type oftesting apparatus, of low cost, and which will test a plurality ofrepaired watches at the same time for the purpose of making finaladjustments, and will intermittently move the watches to variouspositions, While the main support for all of the watches is being2,841,978 Patented July 8, 1958 rotated at a substantially uniform speedthrough a 360 cycle.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide portions of the watchtesting machine that will positively hold watches in particular dwellpositions between the intermittent turnings of the watches on theircarrying spindles and while the main support is moving through adefinite arc of a circle.

It is a further feature of this novel invention to provide a testingapparatus wherein the watch carrier moves through a 360 degrees cyclewhile at the same time a carrying spindle supporting a watch andattached to the carrier would move the watch through a 360 degrees cycleof its own, thus providing an improved testing apparatus that will havethe watch move into all possible positions that it would be in during afull 24-hour period in actual use.

Further features and advantages of this invention will be noted from thefollowing detailed description of the disclosure and in the drawings ofthis apparatus, wherein:

Fig. l is a front view partially in section. of the improved watchtesting apparatus showing several holders for a plurality of watches;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view partly in section, showing a periods;

Fig. 5 is another view partly in section showing the watch carryingspindle being rotated by reason of teeth engaging a rack having severalteeth; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 partly in section showing thewatch carrying spindle gear. engaging a single tooth on a rack, thusturning the watch to a position a short distance from its priorposition.

The. main advantage of this structure is the provision of a successfullyoperable watch testing machine to provide the positioning of the watchin a series of successive positions, all of which positions are thosethat the wrist watch would normally be in during the every day use ofthe watch and when the Watch is removed from the wrist and laid level,or at right angles to the top of the bureau.

The next advantage is to provide a small structure of low cost so thatany jeweler or watch repair person or corporation may employ thisstructure or device to obtain definite testing; and when desired, toplace the de vice in the window for purposes of attracting attention ofthe passerby.

In the horological field, a watchmaker or a watch repair person isconfronted with the problem of a watch keeping substantially accuratetime over a period of 24 hours, even with the watch held in manydifferent positions.

running a watch for 24 hours in from 3 to 5 different positions, thencomputing the elapsed time and making the necessary adjustments. Anothermethod is the use of an electronic machine that will, in a spot check ofa few seconds, indicate the rate of time change in a watch in a givenposition, or positions, for a 24 hour period. Such a spot check wouldnot show that any rate of change would be consistent or not over aperiod of time. All of these methods Where not disputed as to theiraccuracy, still will fail to show the mean time of the watch in actualwear. Therefore, the best method would be the use of a watch testingmachine that simulates the wrist motion for actual use time, and enablethe watch repairer to make the necessary adjustments to coincide withthe mean time.

In adjusting a watch, originally or during repair there are manyvariables for a watchmaker and a watch re- Many methods are used fortesting watches, such as i pairer toconsider. Some of these variablesmay be noted as follows: When adjusting a watch the main spring may bepartially wound, or half wound, or fully wound; in the wearing of awatch on the wrist it may take various positions in-wh'ich-themainspring and the hairspringor the train of gears may have various effects.Therefore, it is desirable tohave a watch produced oradjusted foraverage: or mean runningcondition. There may also-be variation by reasonof the watch being worn only a portion of..the 24'hours, and then belaid'or. stood on-the bureau or dresser for the other portionof the24hours.

Also, there may be variations due to whether the dial is up, or the dialis down, or the pendant is down, or for other reasons. I

All of theabove variations are necessary to-be considered, andadjustments made to obtain the average mean time.

Therefore, in adjusting a watch for any use in actual wear, it isdesirable, in general, to have a means oftesting apparatus that willclosely simulate all wrist motions or actions in order to be able toascertain the mean time for 24 hours.

After suchadjustments have been made, it is'desirable to-place the watchon the improved watch testing apparatus'described herein and whichsimulates the actual wrist wear, and operate the apparatus at a selectedR. P. M. from 8 to 24 hours and then check to determine how much thewatch has varied from the original adjustment. If the results show thatfurther adjustments should be made, then the estimated mean adjustmentshould becompleted-and the watch again placed on the testing apparatusfor a short or long time to determine whether there should be furtheradjustments.

When an electronic testing machine is not available, then the watchtesting machine disclosed herein should be used for 4 to 5 hours, andthen make adjustments, and thereafter make such other adjustments as arenecessaryv after operating the testing apparatus for selected periods oftime.

It may be noted that watches as manufactured have a slowbeat, or anintermediate beat, or a fast beat, and often times it is desirable touse this information as a background .in making any original or repairadjustment. A slow beat approximates 14,000 beats per hour. Theintermediate beat approximates 18,000 beats per hour, and the fast beatapproximates 21,000 beats per hour, and oftenmay be found to be between16,200 beats to 21,600 beats'per hour.

A watch received for repair does not have arecording on it of its beat.Computations for the beat of a watch'are difficult. However, by-use ofthe improved watch testing apparatus herein, the received watch afterbeing placed and operated on the machine for a period of'time between '4to 8 hours, will give to the repair man sufficient information so thathe may make a preliminary first adjustment. Thereafter, further use ofthis-watch testing apparatus will permit the repair man to accomplishnecessary adjustments in a relatively short time.

Referring now to the drawings a normal support is shown to be placed ona watch repair desk or in a jewelers window or at another suitableplace. This support 15 carries a plate 16 held in the position-ofnon-rotation as by aset screw 17 in respect to the support 15. A shaft18 extends through support 15 and is driven by a suitable motor 19. Thisshaft operates to rotate carrier 20' which has mounted thereon a seriesof carrying spindles'21, 22, 23, 24, and 26. Each of these carryingspindles firmly supports a watch holder 27 upon which a repaired watchis mounted for testing.

The stationary plate 16 is preferably provided with a series of racks 29'and'30 of five teeth each and racks'31' and 32 of one tooth each, thepurposes of which are'de scribed below.

The carryingspindles 2146' extend through the flange portion 33. ofcarrier-2tland each spindle has bearings- 34 and 35formed as studsextending inwardly from the inner faceof carrier 20. Between thebearingsor studs 34 and 35 there is provided and firmly mounted on thecarrying spindles a gear 36 and a hexagonal member 37. Preferably, eachgear and each hexagonal member constitute a single element and whenassembled and fastened to the carrying spindle functions to hold thespindles from moving relatively longitudinally to the carrier 20.

Gear 36 functions to engage with the racks 29, 30, 31 and 32. Thehexagonal member 37 engages plates 39, 40, 41 and 42 in successionduring the functioning of the device in a manner which may be said tocorrespond to a Geneva movement'whereby the movement'of the'carryingspindles across these segments cause the Watch on the spindle to be heldin a definite non-rotating position in respect to the carrier 20. Thisnon-rotation period may be expressed as a dwell period. Thus, when theteeth 36 engage with the rack 29 there is a definite rotation of thecarrying spindle 21, and after the disengagement of the gear 36 withthe'teeth' of the rack, then one face of the hexagonal member 37 engagesthe segment 40 and'definitely keeps the carrier spindle from rotating.

In the operation of this improved testing device, an example will betaken by following the carrier 20 through its 360 degrees cycle and thecarrier spindle 21 moving through its 360 degrees cycle. A repairedwatch 50, vFigs. 4, 5 and'6, is mounted on the support or holder 27.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the shaft 18'will start torotate carrier 20, and the carrier spindle. 21 having its hexagonalplate 37 in engagement with segment 39'will move to the right until thehexagonal member leaves the segment 39 and gear 36 starts its engagementwith the teeth of rack 29. The further rotation'movement of carrier 2%)will cause the gear 36 tomtate the carrier spindle 21 and thus rotatethe watch on the holder 27 and this rotation continues until thefive'teeth of the rack have been engaged by the gear 36 and duringthattime the Watch in its own cycle on' the carrier spindle 21. willhave rotated through degrees. The hexagonal member 37 will next engagesegment 40 and keep the watch from any further rotation on its spindle21 while the carrier 20 continues its rotation. After the hexagonalmember 37 passes from segment 40, gear 36 will engage the single toothrack 31, and then the watch on the carrier spindle Will be revolvedthrough an additional 30 degrees. The hexagonal member 37 will thenengage segment 41 and will temporarily maintain the carrier spindle fromfurther rotation. However, the carrier 20 has by this time passedthrough degrees of its cycle and. has moved thewatch through that 180degrees so that the watch is now at the bottom of its travel and is in aposition that is opposite to its original upright position at the top ofFig. 3. Thus, the watch has been moved through 180 degrees by reason ofthe travel of carrier 20, and has been rotated on its carrier spindle180 degrees.

The return route of the watch to its original upright or startingposition'is carried out in like manner by having the gear 36 engage theS-tooth rack 30 and one-tooth rack 32 andto have the hexagonal member37' engage segments 42ancl 39, all in successive order. During thistravel the carrier 20 will move through the second part of its 360degrees cycle and the carrier spindle will have rotated through another150 degrees angle and another- 30 degrees angle, thusmaking its second180 degrees turn and has been carried back to its original positionthrough the second-180 degrees of the carrier 20. Thus, a repaired watchwhen carried through the single 360 degrees cycle of the carrier andthrough the 180 degrees specific turns of'its carrier spindle, will havebeen moved to all of the positions possible that a watch will bemovedtoduring any twenty-four hours wear anddwell periods during the day andduring a dwell period at night on the dresser.

Referring now-to Figs. 4, 5 and 6; Fig. 4 illustrates'the' hexagonalmember 37 in engagement with segment 39, and Fig. 5 shows gear 36 inengagement with rack 29, and Fig. 6 illustrates gear in engagement withthe single tooth 31, and each of these figures shows the differentpositions a watch will take during its travel from its upright positionto its reversed down position, as shown at the bottom of Fig. 3, whileat the same time the watch has been rotated on its carrier spindle.

While the foregoing description has been made in regard to a singlecarrier spindle, and the repaired watch mounted thereon, the improvedtesting apparatus has been provided with the additional spindles 22, 23,24, 25 and 26 for carrying additional watches. All of these spindleswill function to pass through the same cycle of operation as carrierspindle 21 when the carrier 20 is rotated.

From the foregoing description it will be readily noted that an improvedwatch testing apparatus of small size and low cost has been producedthat has the ability of carrying a series of watches through the manydesirable testing periods, and to complete this testing in a relativelyshort time.

It will be further noted that the apparatus is simple, easily operatedand is provided with holders preferably of resilient material whichpermits the watches to be quickly mounted thereon. Such a simple, lowcost, small size testing apparatus performs the function of testing therepaired watches, and when placed in a jewelers window functionsparticularly to create attention and to cause an observer to see otherproducts assembled in the window.

It will also be noted from the foregoing description that any repairedwatch is moved through a series of movements and dwell periods, and inthose movements and dwell periods will have been positioned in theseveral positions which a watch will take during its normal and restperiods of any day.

It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be madein the preferred form of the invention herein, and such modificationsand changes are to be understood as part of this invention, as outlinedin the following claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. Watch testing apparatus comprising a support, a carrier rotatable onthe support, a spindle on the carrier and extending with a radialcomponent away from the axis of rotation of the carrier, a bearing onthe carrier in which the spindle isrotatable about an axis of rotationextending lengthwise of the spindle, a watch holder attached to thespindle and rotatable with the spindle about the axis of rotation of thespindle, means for rotating the carrier to impart orbital movement tothe spindle and watch holder, mechanism for turning the spindleintermittently about its own axis of rotation during said orbitalmovement, means for preventing rotation of the spindle at a plurality ofangular locations and during certain arcs of movement along the orbitalpath of the spindle, said mechanism including means for automaticallyrestarting rotation of the spindle at the end of each of said arcs ofmovement.

2. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 1, and in which thespindle rotating mechanism includes a pinion on the spindle and aplurality of gear segments carried by said support at angularly spacedlocations along the orbital path of movement of the pinion, the gearsegments being in positions to mesh with and rotate the pinion as itstravels along the arcs of its orbit along which the gear segments arelocated.

3. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which themeans for preventing rotation of the spindle during certain arcs ofmovement include relatively fixed abutments located along the orbit ofthe spindle, and a co-operating abutment connected with the spindle.

4. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which someof the gear segments are of different arcuate extent than others so thatthe angular movements of the spindle and its watch carrier are differentas they travel past difierent ones of the gear segments.

5. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which someof the gear segments are of different length from others to impartdifferent amounts of angular movement to the spindle and its watchcarrier, the total length of all of the gear segments being co-relatedwith the circumference of the pinion to produce a total angular movementof the spindle through 360 during each complete orbital movement of thespindle.

6. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which thereare a plurality of spindles and associated watch holders at angularlyspaced locations around the carrier, all of the spindles beingoperatively connected with the spindle-turning mechanism during at leasta part of their orbital movements, and each during the same period ofits orbital movement so that the series of positions occupied by thewatches on the different watch holders is similar.

7. In a watch testing device, the combination of a support, a platecarried by said support in non-rotation in respect thereto, a series ofseparate toothed racks carriedby said plate, a series of guide membersalso carried by said plate, a shaft extending from said support andadapted to be driven, a carrier mounted on said shaft and driventhereby, a series of spindles mounted on said carrier at angularlyspaced locations around the circumference of the carrier for receivingand carrying a series of watches, two bearings extending from saidcarrier for receiving and holding each of said spindles, a gear wheeland a dwell hexagon member mounted on each of said spindles in positionto engage said separated toothed rack segments and said guide membersrespectively and at successive times as said carrier is rotated, a watchholder mounted on the end of each spindle, said carrier beingcontinuously moved through a 360 degree cycle, each spindle beingalternately rotated about its own axis and held against rotation aplurality of times and at the same angular positions during eachrevolution of the carrier, the total rotational movement of each spindleabout its own axis being 360 during each revolution of the spindle.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS443,695 Copeland Dec. 30, 1890 FOREIGN PATENTS 295,742 Switzerland Jan.15, 1954

